Datasheet

Navigating the 3D Space n 13
You can toggle the layers that are visible in the 3D viewport and to the renderer by
using the buttons mentioned previously or by using the keyboard number keys (not the
numeric keypad). You can toggle multiple layers at once by Shift+clicking the buttons.
The top row of layers corresponds to the keyboard number keys 1 through 0. The bottom
row of layers corresponds to Alt+1 through Alt+0. In general, you use the numeric key-
pad to change views, and you use the keyboard numbers to change layers. You can use
either to input numbers into a text field, for example.
If you accidentally press a keyboard number key other than the layer you are working in, it
may be a shock when all the objects suddenly disappear from the 3D view window! Don’t
panic; simply return to viewing the layer your work was on by using the layer buttons.
You can send an object to a different layer by selecting the object and pressing the M key.
A dialog box displays with the layer buttons in the same order as they appear in the 3D
viewport header. Simply click the layers you want to send the item to, holding Shift to
select multiple layers, and click OK. An object can reside on as many layers as you choose.
Views and Perspective
There are various ways to view your scene. When you open Blender initially, default view
shows the scene in perspective view, in which lengths and sizes are affected by their dis-
tance from the viewer and things farther away appear smaller, just as in nature. To toggle
into orthographic mode, press 5 on the numeric keypad. This mode gives a less realistic
orthographic view that can be easier to work with.
It is possible to zoom too far forward in perspective view and find yourself trapped. If your
viewpoint seems frozen or difficult to control, this is probably the problem. Simply press 5
on the numeric keypad to toggle into orthographic view, and then zoom your viewpoint out.
You can also press the Home key to bring the entire scene into view.
Using the number pad, you can switch your view to follow the x-, y-, or z-axis. The
numeric 1 key changes the view to look down the y-axis (front view), and numeric 3 will
change the view to follow the x-axis (right view). Holding down the Ctrl key while you
press these numbers changes the view to their respective opposites, looking up the axis
from the negative direction. Numeric 2 and 8 rotate the scene vertically with respect to
the 3D viewport, and numeric 4 and 6 rotate the scene horizontally.
If you use a laptop without a numeric keypad, setting the Emulate Numpad user preference
will let you switch views using the ordinary keyboard numbers. If you select this, the key-
board numbers will no longer switch visible layers. I rarely if ever use keyboard numbers to
set layer visibility, so I always choose this option.
427378c01.indd 13 3/19/11 1:45:08 PM